Hokey Pokey Hand

The ‘Hokey Pokey’ Piano Hand: Finger Development Sequence

The ‘Hokey Pokey’ Piano Handhas three fingers, one thumb and one pinky. This finger development sequence establishes the placement of the thumb on a piano key by moving the arm‘in’ – toward the fallboard, thereby placing the thumb near the corner of a black key. The pinky, on the other hand, is ‘out’ – toward the edge of the key. This exaggerated motion instills a sense of using the arm to produce a sound rather than pushing down a note with the finger.

The Finger Sequence is as follows:

Thumb and Pinky: Choo Choo Train

Cluster Fingers 2, 3 and 4: Taxi Cab

Finger 3: Shining Star

Fingers 2 and 4: Marching Band

Open Fifth: Flags on Parade

Ten Finger Solos

Choo-Choo Train: uses only the Thumb and the Pinky to promote the use of the forearm. The thumb placement is In (toward the fall board) and the pinky placement is Out (toward the piano bench.) Stickers on the keys for Thumb placement In and Pinky placement Out help students learn how use use their arm when playing notes.

Taxi Cab: introduction of fingers 2, 3 and 4 as clusters plus the IN and OUT forearm motion when playing the Thumb and the Pinky.

Shining Star: introduction of finger 3. Finger 3 is placed in the ‘middle’ of the piano key and also serves as the midpoint for fingers when playing in contrary motion.

Marching Band: fingers 2 and 4 are added and all five fingers play.

Flags on Parade: the fifth is introduced along with a ‘push-off’ with finger 3.

Ode to Joy: the first Five-Note song that again reinforces all five fingers. This song is further developed in SightPlay Solutions and PentaScale Solutions: a) contrary motion with LH playing certain notes, b) parallel motion, 3) harmonization with LH dominant stretch/RH melody, and 4) harmonization with RH dominant stretch with LH melody.

Bought Me A Cat: a five note song that uses contrary motion as well plus serving as a fun ensemble piece. The LH Open Fifth accompaniment pattern is a prelude to the LH Stretch pattern that follows in the next level with Ode to Joy.

Prelude Pointers

A new solo is best introduced with the colorful Companion Song Poster* picture – students love to have a picture of their solo.

Laminating the Song Posters and printing in color on card stock can replace the student’s copy in class. Hassle free teaching with young ones in a class setting!